“Life teaches you great. It gives you the ability when you encounter obstacles. That’s why I always tell young people don’t be afraid of failure, don’t be afraid of those obstacles. Those are the things that make you stronger. They make you better.”

World

This Week In Women: Michelle Obama Slays Once Again

It has been week of raising awareness with the first ladies of politics and fashion, from Michelle Obama’s appearance at the INBOUND 2017 annual summit to Melania Trump’s book fiasco. And the Delevingne sisters (Cara, Poppy and Chloe), Naomi Campbell, Suki Waterhouse and Charlotte Tillbury designed a special series of apparel for this year’s Lady Garden benefit. It’s time for this Week in Women!

Cambridge Librarian Writes Open Letter to Melania Trump About Public Education

Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro made waves this week when she rejected a set of Dr. Seuss books gifted by the White House. Her school had been selected by the White House as a gift recipient for achievement, as part of the National Read A Book Day. In a blog post on The Horn Book, entitled “Dear Mrs. Trump”, Soeiro laid out that there should be more of a focus on children and districts who are lacking in resources and suffering from “government neglect”.

“Cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit are suffering through expansion, privatization, and school ‘choice’ with no interest in outcomes of children, their families, their teachers, and their schools,” she wrote. “Are those kids any less deserving of books simply because of circumstances beyond their control? Why not go out of your way to gift books to underfunded and underprivileged communities that continue to be marginalized and maligned by policies put in place by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos?”

Soeiro also contends that there is “racist propaganda” illustrated in several of Dr. Seuss’ books and her gift could have been better thought out. After listing a set of alternative reading recommendations, the letter concludes with, “You and your husband have a direct impact on these children’s lives. Please make time to learn about and value them.”

Former First Lady Michelle Obama Tells it Like it is at INBOUND 2017

“Life teaches you great. It gives you the ability when you encounter obstacles. That’s why I always tell young people don’t be afraid of failure, don’t be afraid of those obstacles. Those are the things that make you stronger. They make you better,” said Former First Lady Michelle Obama at this week’s HubSpot INBOUND 2017 annual summit.

Michelle Obama took the stage for a Q&A with professor and feminist author Roxane Gay. She did not hold back when discussing her thoughts on women who voted against Hillary Clinton in 2016, “Quite frankly we saw this in this election, as far as I’m concerned. Any woman who voted against Hillary Clinton voted against their own voice in a way. To me, it doesn’t say as much about Hillary Clinton ― and everybody’s trying to wonder. Well, what does it mean for Hillary? ― No, no, no. What does it mean for us as women? That we look at those two candidates, as women, and many of us said, ‘That guy. He’s better for me. His voice is more true to me.’ Well, to me that just says you don’t like your voice. You like the thing you’re told to like.”

UK-based Lady Garden Campaign is bringing together fashion icons, women-focused corporations, and women around the world to raise awareness and research funds to improve treatment for the Gynaecological Cancer led by Dr. Susana Banerjee at The Royal Marsden hospital.

“Our recent research revealed that over a third of women are too embarrassed to go to the doctor with gynaecological concerns – let alone talk to a friend,” Lady Garden’s official website states. “Our mission is to empower women everywhere to talk more openly – without shyness or shame.”

“Breaking this taboo won’t only help with being able to recognize symptoms of gynecological cancers, but also lead to better vaginal health, less daily embarrassment and better sex,” Chloe Delevigne said in an interview with Tatler.